Intervention: What Role Does the Alcoholic/Addict Play?

So, the family is in agreement . . . their loved one's drinking, drugging, what-have-you . . . is out of control and they need help. They are now on the phone with an interventionist citing chapter and verse the litany of consequences that have lead to this call. And, then the following dialogue ensues:

"You are ready now to do an intervention", the interventionist states.
"Well, no because our loved one 'isn't ready'", comes the retort.
"Precisely; that is why the professional intervention. If your loved one were ready to get help you wouldn't be calling, right?"
"No, "you don't get it; he has to be willing to get help and he isn't."

If this circular thinking has you or those you know in its trap you are not alone. Many people cling to it for dear life . . . you can't help them until they are ready. The good news for families . . . . this myth is dead wrong.

The real issue is who decides when to do the intervention? Who is it who has to be "ready?"

The answers are the same . . . the family. More simply, just one individual within the family needs to be willing to lead the way. Believe me, the others will follow. The myth is that the alcoholic/addict has to be "ready"; the reality is that it is the family system that has to be ready. The alcoholic/addict will only become ready when the family is AND leads the way. Professional help is the preferred way to go, thus intervention.

You decide . . .